Horse-checking apparatus.



Patented Oct. 28, I902.

R. FORREST. HORSE CHECKING APPARATUS.

(Appiication-filed may a, 1902.

(No Model.)

i o r r-dst p g I UNITED, ST TE I ROLLAND FoRRns igbF' PHILADELPHIA,.FENNSYLVANIA.

PATENT-L f HORSE-CHECKING APPARATUSLQ SPECIFICATION for ng a of Letters' Patent No. 712,290,dated October 28, 1902.

Application fi1ed'May3, 1902. berial No. 106,849. (No model.) 7

nation of devices hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showinga vehicle provided with a horse-checking apparatus embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail view of my improved horse-checking apparatus, showing the same secured on a vehicle-axle and geared to one of the wheels thereof. Fig. 3' is a detail top plan view showing the means for releasing the checkline of the bridle.

In the embodiment of my invention I provide a frame 1, which is here shown as comprising an upper section 2 and a lower section 3, adapted to be bolted together, as at 4, to secure them on a vehicle-axle a, near one end thereof. Thesaid frame is provided with hangers 5, having bearings 6 for the shaft 7 of a drum 8. shaft projects beyond one side of the said frame, and on the projecting end of the saidshaft is feathered a spur-gear 9, which is hence longitudinally movable on the said shaft and is revoluble therewith.

A lever 10 is fulcrumed to theframe 1 ata suitable point either as shown at 11 or by any other suitable means, and the said lever has a depending arm 12, which is connected to the gear 9 by any suitable means which will admit of the longitudinal movement of said gear on the shaft 7 by the operation of the lever 10. As here shown, the said gear is formed with an inwardly-extending collar 13,

having a peripheral annular groove in which a circular strap 14tis fitted, and saidstrap has alaterally-projecting. pin 15, which engages a slot 16 in the arm'12. A spring 17 is employed to normally move the gear 9 in- One end of the said.

wardly and keep the same from engaging the gear 18, which is revolved by one of the vehicle-wheels 19. Asli'ere shown, the gear 18 is disposed at the inner end of the wheel -hub,

'is revoluble on the spindle of the axle, and is connected by bolts 20'to a collar 21, which is fitted on the hub ahd'bears against the outer.

sides of the spokes. Hence the said gear -18 .may be readily attachedto an ordinary vehicle-wheel'without alteration-of the latter,

and it will be understood that the frame 1 may be also attached to an ordinary vehicleaxle without alteration of the latter, so that my improved apparatus may be rea'dilygattached to and detached from any ordinary vehicle, and no alteration of'the latter is necessary in .carryingmy invention into efiect. It will be understood that bymoving the lever 10 against the tension of the spring 17 the gear 9 may be engaged with the gear 18 to cause the drum 8 to be revolved when the vehicle is in motion.

A suitable cord 22 is attached to and adapted to be wound on the drum and is here shown as engaged with direction-sheaves23, carried by one of the vehicle-shafts, passed under the body and between the front legs of .the horse, and connected to the bit, so that the said cord acts as a martingale. In the. event that the :horse becomes unruly and starts torun away the driver by means of the lever 10 may throw the gear 9 into engagement with the gear 18, thereby cause the drum to rotate, and hence wind in on the cord 22,. and hence cause the latter to draw the horses head downwardly until his nose is brought between his front legs and he must either stop or be thrown to I the'ground.

When the horses bridle is provided with a check-line b, I provide the saddle of the har- 9o ness with a longitudinally-movable pin 24, operating in openings in lugs 25 to engage the, check-strap and normally hold the same. A cord 26 connects one end of the said pin to the cord 22 and passes through a suitable guide 27 on the harness-saddle, and it will be understood that when the checking' apparatus is put into operation, as before described,-the cord 22 will draw the cord 26 and cause the latter to move the pin 24 endwise to'release 1'00 the check-strap b, and hence allow the horses head to be pulled down by the cord 22, as before described.

Having thus. described my invention, I claim- 1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination with a vehicle, a gear revoluble on an axle thereof, a collar 21 and bolts 20 to connect the gear to a wheel on the axle, a frame comprising an upper section and a lower section bolted together on the axle, the said lower section having hangers, a drum having its shaft journaled in hearings in the hangers, a gear on said drum-shaft, shiftable thereon into and out of engagement with the wheelgear, and a lever fulcrumed to one of the hangers and connected to said shif table gear, substantially as described.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a drum, means to gear the same to a vehiclewheel to cause the drum to be rotated, a cord adapted to be wound on the drum, and connections between the said cord and the bit and a checkrein-releasing device of a harness, whereby when the drum is revolved the checkrein will be released and the horses head drawn down, substantially as described.

3. A vehicle having a drum, a gear revoluble with a vehicle-wheel, a shiftable gear on the drum-shaft, a lever to shift said gear into engagement with the wheel-gear, a cord adapted to be passed between the front legs of a horse harnessed to the vehicle and attached to the bit, guides for said cord, a checkreinreleasing device, and a connection between the same and said cord, all adapted to operate, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROLLAND FORREST.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM BRENNAN, CHAS. FEIL. 

